By Dorcas Francis Koji
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has received an invitation to join the Super Eagles for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, despite ongoing concerns over his fitness.
According to Galatasaray insider Ali Naci Küçük, the Turkish champions have formally received the invitation for the Nigerian forward ahead of the September international window.
The development puts Osimhen in Eric Chelle’s selection plans, although his participation in the qualifiers remains uncertain as he continues his recovery from a groin injury.
Osimhen sustained the injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on September 4. He had opened the scoring after just 16 minutes but was forced off in the 33rd minute after experiencing discomfort.
Subsequent medical examinations conducted by Galatasaray revealed a moderate-to-advanced strain, accompanied by bleeding in the right groin area. The club confirmed that treatment had commenced and initially indicated that the striker was expected to return after the international break.
That assessment appeared to put Osimhen’s involvement in Nigeria’s September fixtures in doubt, but the latest reports have provided a more encouraging picture.
Küçük reported that Galatasaray expect Osimhen to travel with the squad for their league trip to Trabzonspor and could use him if required, although there has been no indication that the Nigerian will necessarily start the match.
The Trabzonspor encounter could therefore provide an important indication of Osimhen’s fitness ahead of Nigeria’s opening qualifier against Madagascar.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.
The fixtures will mark Nigeria’s first AFCON qualifying campaign since the country missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. Tanzania, one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON, already has an automatic place at the tournament, leaving the remaining teams to battle for qualification.
Chelle must now assess Osimhen’s recovery carefully before deciding whether the Galatasaray forward can join the squad and, if available, how much involvement he can safely manage during the qualifiers.
With the Super Eagles preparing for two crucial fixtures, Osimhen’s fitness is expected to remain one of the major talking points surrounding Nigeria’s squad.
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